What Performance Metrics Can Be Used to Evaluate the Efficiency of a Rankine Cycle?

When we look at how well a Rankine cycle works, we check a few important things:

Thermal Efficiency ( $\eta_{th}$ ): This tells us how much useful work we get from the heat we put in. We can figure it out using the formula $\eta_{th} = \frac{W_{out}}{Q_{in}}$ , where $W_{out}$ is the work we produce and $Q_{in}$ is the heat we use.
Specific Work Output ( $W_{net}$ ): This shows us how much work is done for each unit of energy we use.
Heat Rate: This number helps us understand how much fuel we need to create a certain amount of energy. It is usually given in Btu per kilowatt-hour (Btu/kWh).

By looking at these key factors, we can see how well the Rankine cycle is doing!

When we look at how well a Rankine cycle works, we check a few important things:

Thermal Efficiency ( $\eta_{th}$ ): This tells us how much useful work we get from the heat we put in. We can figure it out using the formula $\eta_{th} = \frac{W_{out}}{Q_{in}}$ , where $W_{out}$ is the work we produce and $Q_{in}$ is the heat we use.
Specific Work Output ( $W_{net}$ ): This shows us how much work is done for each unit of energy we use.
Heat Rate: This number helps us understand how much fuel we need to create a certain amount of energy. It is usually given in Btu per kilowatt-hour (Btu/kWh).

By looking at these key factors, we can see how well the Rankine cycle is doing!

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